Money chest



. July 3, 1934. c. MILLER I 1,965,296

" MONEY CHEST Filed Jan. 28, 1931 3 Sheets-Sheet l "i Rx v v i I I II y 1934. w. c. MILLER 1,965,296

MONEY CHEST Filed Jan. 28. 19:1 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 E 2 7 v jgai 9922 ark/ 22297. waw ggf July 3, 1934. w. c, MILLER 1,965,296

' MONEY CHEST- 7 Filed Jan. 28. 1931 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 l and a which money not Patented July 3, 1934 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE MONEY CHEST William 0. Miller, Canton,

Ohio. assignor to The Diebold Safe & Lock Company, Canton, Ohio,

a corporation of Ohio Application January as, 1931, Serial No. 511,893

11 Claims.

This invention relates particularly to chests adapted to safeguard the daily receipts of unit establishments, such as chain stores, gasoline filling stations, and the like.

i The primary object is to provide a structure which is adapted to give protection to the changecash which is required in operating a store, for example, and to give double protection to the bulk of the receipts, until they can be collected taken to a depository, or. bank.

The inventioncomprises a safe-like structure which is provided with an inner compartment adapted to receive the bulk of the funds on hand, and an outer compartment disposed above the closure of the inner compartment and adapted to hold such funds as maybe needed for trading Purposes during the day.

The closure of the inner compartment prefer-' ably is equipped with a dual-control lock, and the closure of the upper or outer compartment is secured, either by a combination lock, or by a dual-control lock. as desired.

A moneyis provided between the upper chamber and the lower chamber, through needed for transacting the busi- -nessofthestoremaybedepositedwithinthe lower chamber. 'nms, a moderate amount of change-cash, $25.00 to $50.00, may be kept within the upper cash chamber, and excess funds above I0 the required amount may be deposited'in the lower cash-chamber.

The invention is illustrated in a preferred embodiment in the accomp ying drawings in which Figure l is a broken perspective view of a money chest embodying the invention, the structure be ing shown with the wells of the anchor-block partly broken away and the chest. proper, shown in section; Fig. 2, a plan view of the money chest, separate from the anchor-block: Fig. 3, an'inner view of the upper closln e; Fig. 4, a plan view of the money chest, proper, with closures removed; Fig. 5. a plan view of the inner closure; Fig. 6, a bottom plan view' of the inner closure; Fig. 7. an enlarged elevational view of the lock with which the inner closure is equipped: Fig. 8, a sectional view showing a slight modification of the inner closure; Fig. 9. a broken vertical sectional view. on an enlarged scale, of the money chest,

proper; and Fig. 10. a similar sectional view showing a modification of the money chest, proper.

In the illustration given,.A designates a thick walled anchor-block; and B, a vertically disposed money-chest imbedded and anchored in the block A.

The block A preferably comprises a metal shell 1 filled with concrete 2 which may contain steel reinforcement 3.

The money chest B preferably comprises a caststeel cylindrical casing .4 having an integrally formed bottom 4' and having an external anchoring flange 4 The chest or container B depends through a large opening in the top 1* of the external shell, and is provided at its upper end with an external flange 4 which overlaps the metal at the margin of the opening.

It will be understood that the container B may be placed in position, and the concrete may then be poured in the outer shell to firmly embed the container in the concrete. This may be done by inverting the shell 1 and pouring in the concrete before the bottom 1 of the shell is applied; or, a

if desired, a hole may be left in the bottom,

through which the concrete may be poured.

The container B preferably is of cylindrical form. It is fitted with an inner closure C, and with an outer closure D, the outer closure being somewhat larger in diameter than the inner closure, so that the inner closure can be inserted and removed'through the orifice at the upper end of the container, assuming the outer closure to be removed.

The inner closure detachable bag C.

As shown most clearly in Fig. 9, the closure C preferably is in the form of a heavy disc of metal, which may be cast steel, and-is supported on an internal annular flange, or shoulder, 5. The member C'is provided at its circumferential edge with integral locking lugs 6 which are adapted to engage bayonet-slots 6' with which the flange 5 is provided. The closure is lowered to its seat, the lugs 6 enter the bayonet slots, and the closure is then rotated to bring the lugs under the shoulders of the bayonet slots. The closure is equipped at its lower side with a dual-control lock '7 which is fitted (Fig. 7) with key barrels 'l and l which extend through perforations with which the closure is provided. The lock is also provided with a bolt i adapted to be controlled by two different keys insertable through the key barrole 7' and 7". Any suitable dual-control lock may be employed; or, if preferred, a combination lock may be employed in connection with the inner closure.

preferably is fitted with a The interior of the container 3 is divided by the partition wall which is composed of the annular shoulder 5 and the inner closure C into a' lower surplus-cash chamber B and an upper change-cash chamber B The inner closure is within easy hand-reach through the upper compartment, so that change-cash in the upper compartment is within easy reach, and the inner closure and attached money-bag likewise are readily removable by grasping with the hand the handle with which the innerclosure isequipped.

Where, as in the preferred construction, the inner closure C is equipped with a money-bag C, the closure preferably is provided with an integrally formed depending cylindrical flange 8, with which the bag is detachably connected.

In the illustration given, the outer wall of the depending flange 8 is provided with recesses 8 in which are located studs or buttons 8', which are securely fastened to the flange at the reduced portions thereof.

The bag C which preferably is of heavy canvas, or leather, is equipped at its inner side, some distance from its open end, with tabs, or straps, which are provided with eyelets 9, which are adapted to snap over the buttons 8. The upper end portion of the bag, designated 10, is turned' downwardly over the outer side of the bag, and is provided at its free margin, with eyelets 10. A cord, or chain, (not shown) maybe threaded through the eyelets 10 and a seal applied when the collector calls to collect the surplus cash.

The bolt 1 of the lock is adaptedto be proiected through a perforation 11 in the flange 8 and to enter a recess in the flange 5 of the solid wall of the container B, as shown in Fig. 1.

The closure C is provided with B through the "closure, so that money can be deposited in the lower cash-chamber B, or in the bag C, if used.

Also, the closure C is equipped with pivotally connected U-shaped handles 13 which may be used to turn the closure (after it is unlocked) and effect removal of the closure from the container B. When the bag C is used, it is, of course, lifted out of the container in the operation of removing the closure C from the container. ,7

In the modification shown in Fig. 8, a single handle, designatedlii is connected to the upper surface of the closure C. The arms of the handle are pivotally connected to lugs with which the closure is equipped, and have extensions which provide shoulders which limit the upward swing of the handle, and serve to balance the device when the closure is to be withdrawn. The web portion of the handle is equipped with a pusher, or plunger, 13*, which is adapted to extend through the money-slot 12, when the handle is lowered to a position parallel with the upper surface of the closure. This device may be used as a pusher to force currency through the slot.

If desired, suitable bailles (not shown) may be employed in connection with the money-slot to prevent the possibility of withdrawing money after it has been once inserted.

As will be understood from Figs. 1-4, the upper closure D preferably comprises a heavy disk of steel which is removably mounted in a frusto-conical seat 14 which is provided at the mouth of the container B.

The closure D may, for example, consist of 5-ply drill-proof chrome steel plate. As shown, the closure is equipped at the inner portion of its periphery with integral lugs 15 which are adapted to engage bayonet-slots 15' with which the door seat 14 is provided. The closure may be placed in the seat lkwith the lugs 15 entered in the slots a money-slot 12 which extends from the upper cash-chamber to limit rotation afterthe lugs 15 have entered the bayonet-slots 15; or, if desired, one of the studs may be so set as to serve as a guide to indicate the proper position of the closure when it is to be placed in or removed from its seat.

The closure D is equipped at its outer side with pivoted U-shaped handles 18; and it is equipped at its inner side with a lock 19 provided with a bolt 19 which engages a recess in a wall of the container B.

While the lock may be of any suitable construction, it is shown conventionally as a combination lock, or dial lock, the knob and dial being indicated at 19 While the improved money-chest and the anchor block in which it is embedded may be of any desired size and weight, it is preferred to make the structure heavy, strong and reasonably fire-proof. Convenient dimensions for ordinary purposes are, for illustration, an inside diameter of about '7 inches for the cylinder B, with the other parts proportioned substantially as shown. A structure of this type having an anchor block about 31"x23"x18 ordinarily will weigh in the neighborhood of twelveto fifteen hundred pounds. It is desirable that the weight of the structure as a whole shall be great enough to'prevent the structure from being carried away bodily. The money-chest proper, comprising. the steel casing B and the closures therefor, may, if desired, be embedded in a concrete floor, in which event the upper end of the container B will be substantially flush with the floor.

In the modification shown in Fig. 10, B designates a steel-casting container having a lower excess-funds chamber B and an upper changecash chamber B In this instance a partitionwall C" separates the upper chamber from the lower chamber. This wall comprises an internal integral flange 20 and a removable closure 21 equipped with a lock 22. The closure 21 may be applied and secured in the same manner as is the closure C shown in Fig. 9.

The flange 20 has-a money-slot 20 extending therethrough, and is provided with a protecting baflile 20. It will be noted that in this instance the money-slot which extends through the partition-wall C passes through that portion of the wall which constitutes the flange 20, instead of passing through the closure 21.

It is to be understood that the container B may be embedded in a cement block, and may be equipped at its upper end with a closure similar to the closure D shown in Fig. 1.

The improved money-chest is reasonably fireproof and capable of withstanding heavy blows, or severe usage, such as a fall, in the event of the giving away of the walls of a burning structure.

In the use of the improved deposit-safe in a chain-store system, for example, the changefund required for operating the store may be kept in the upper compartment B Thus, the change-fund may be kept locked up at night. If desired, a dual-control lock may be applied to the closure D, instead of a combination lock.

Ordinarily, the lower, innerclosure C, will be kept locked in position during the day, and will serve as a bottom wall for the upper chamber 3 From timeto time, during trading hours, excess funds above those.- required for carrying on trade, are deposited through the slot 12 into the lower compartment.

I It may be assumed that the manager of the unitstore will keep one key to the inner closure C. and that-the collector will keep the other key to said closure. These keys must both be used at the same time to unlock the closure C, after which the closure may be removed from the receptacle to give access to the lower compartment B.

Ifthe bag C' is used, it will be lifted out of the container through the medium of the closure C when the latter is lifted out. The bag may then be sealed up and taken by the collector to the central depository and the funds checked against a deposit slip inserted by the manager of the unit store betore'the sealing of the bag.

From the description given; it will be understood that in the event oi a daylight holdup, the robbers will be unable to secure more than the change-fund. That is, they cannot gain access to the inner compartment, owing to' the fact that one key necessary to unlock the closure C will not be at hand.

Again, the change-fund is protected at night by the securely locked closure D; and ii! robbers were to attempt to secure the tunds at night, they would be obliged to open both the closure D and closure 0. The timerequired toaccomplish this would be so great as to probably trus trate the eflorh. I! desired, the inner closure C may be equipped with a dead-lock bolt (not shown) which will be "shot" in the event that robbers attempt to unlock the regular lock oi the closure 0. In use, the improved deposit-sate has proven to be thoroughly adapted to its purpose. It can be manufactured at such moderate cost as to enable it to be used quite generally in every situation where it is needed.

The foregoing detailed description has been given for clearness of understanding only, and no unnecessary limitations should be understood therefrom. but the appended claims should be construed as broadly as permissible, in view of the prior art.

What I regard as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is:

1. A plural-compartment money-chest com-' prising: a heavy-walled container having a lower cash-compartment and an upper, superposed cash-compartment; a heavy-walled lockcquipped closure forming a top for said container; a-heavy-walled lock-equipped inner.,closure forming a top for said lower cash-compartmentdisposed within reach of hand through said upper compartment and liltable by hand and withdrawable through said upper compartment, said closures being separated by a space forming said upper cash-compartment; and a moneypassage forming a communication between said cash-compartments so constructed as to permit transfer of cash Irom .the upper compartment into the lower compartment and prevent retransi'er therethrough to the upper compartment.

2. A plural-compartment money-chest as specifled in claim 1, in which said container is of integral construction and is provided with an internal flange which forms a seat for said secondmentioned closure and has lugs which interlock with lugs carried by the closure when the latter is in locked position.

3. A plural-compartment money-chest as specifled in claim 1, in which said money-passage are secured in extends through said second-mentioned closure.-

4. A plural-compartment money-chest as specitied in claim 1, in which said container has an I I inner integral flange which forms a seat for said second-mentioned closure and said moneypassage extends through said flange.

5. A plural-compartment money-chest com-' prising: an upright integral cast-metal heavywalled container having at its upper end an outer closure-seat of given size and at ashort distance below the same an irmer closure-seat of smaller size; a heavy-walled lock-equipped inner-closure secured in said inner closure-seat within handreach through the upper end of said container and dividing said container into a lower surpluscash compartment and an upper change-cash compartment, said closures being spaced apart to provide said change-cash compartment and said inner closure being liftable by hand and withdrawable through the upper end of said container; a lock-equipped heavy-walled outer closure secured in said outer closure-seat; and a money passage leading from said change-cash compartment to said surplus-cash compartment and so constructed as to permit deposit of money through said change-cash compartment into said surplus-cash compartment and prevent with drawal of the deposited money.

6. A plural-compartment money-chest as speck tied in claim 5, in which the closure-seatsand the closures mentioned are equipped with interlocklugs which are in engagement when the closures position by the locks withwhich e a equipp d I. A plural-compartment money-chest comprising: a heavy-walled integral cast-metal container having a lower cash-compartment and an upper relatively shallow superposed cash-compartment; a heavy-walled lock-equipped outer closure forming a top for said container; a lockequipped inner closure forming a top for said lower cash-compartment disposed within reach of hand through said upper compartment and liftable by hand and withdrawable through said upper compartment, said closures being separated by a substantial space to provide said secondmentioned cash-compartment and said inner closure being equipped with a handle adapted to be rasped by hand to eii'ect such removal; and a money-passage forming a communication between said cash-compartments so constructed as to permit transfer of cash from the upper compartment into the lower compartment and prevent re-transier therethrough to the upper compartment.

8. A structure as specified in claim I, in which said inner closure is equipped at its upper surface witha handle which may be grasped by hand to effect removal of the closure and is equipped at its lower side with a depending, detachable moneybaa- V 9. A plural-compartment money-chest comprising: a heavy-walled integral cylindrical container having a lower cash-compartment and an upper superposed cash-compartment which is 1 relatively shallow; a heavy-walled lock-equipped closure forming a top for said container; a lockequipped inner closure forming a top for said lower cash-compartment which is disposed within hand-reach through said upper compartment and 1 liitable by hand and withdrawable through said upper compartment, said closures being spaced apart a substantial distance to provide substantial depth for said upper cash-compartment; a detachable money-bag depending from said inner 1 closure and removably attached thereto, said money-bag being equipped with means for effecting sealing thereof after detachment of the bag from the closure, and a money-passage through said inner closure so constructed as to permit transfer of cash from the upper compartment through said inner closure into said money-bag and prevent re-transfer therethrough to the upper compartment.

10. In a money-chest: a heavy-walled cylindrical cast-metal container having a closed bottom Patent No. l, 965, 296.

WILLIAM C. MILLER. .l

CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION.

hand and removable through theupper end of said container; a money-passage forming a communication between the upper and lower compartments thus provided so constructed as to permit deposit by hand of cash through the upper compartment into the lower compartment and prevent re-transfer therethrough to the upper compartment; and a heavy-walled outer closure having bayonet-lug engagement with said firstmentioned seat and equipped with a 1001: which serves to secure the closure in the interlocked position, said closure being spaced apart to provide substantial depth for said upper compartment.

11. A structure as specified in claim 10, in which said inner closure'is equipped with a detachable depending money-bag which is removable through the medium of the closure when the latter is withdrawn through the upper end of said container.

, WILLIAM C. MILLER.

July 3, i934.

It is hereby certified that error appears in the printed specification of the above numbered patent requiring correction as follows: Page 4, line 87, claim 10, for "closure" read closures; and that the said Letters Patent should be read with this correction therein that in the Patent Office.

Signed and sealed this 7th day of August,

(Seal) the same may conform to the record of the case Leslie Frazer Acting Commissioner of Patents.

closure and removably attached thereto, said money-bag being equipped with means for effecting sealing thereof after detachment of the bag from the closure, and a money-passage through said inner closure so constructed as to permit transfer of cash from the upper compartment through said inner closure into said money-bag and prevent re-transfer therethrough to the upper compartment.

10. In a money-chest: a heavy-walled cylindrical cast-metal container having a closed bottom Patent No. l, 965, 296.

WILLIAM C. MILLER. .l

CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION.

hand and removable through theupper end of said container; a money-passage forming a communication between the upper and lower compartments thus provided so constructed as to permit deposit by hand of cash through the upper compartment into the lower compartment and prevent re-transfer therethrough to the upper compartment; and a heavy-walled outer closure having bayonet-lug engagement with said firstmentioned seat and equipped with a 1001: which serves to secure the closure in the interlocked position, said closure being spaced apart to provide substantial depth for said upper compartment.

11. A structure as specified in claim 10, in which said inner closure'is equipped with a detachable depending money-bag which is removable through the medium of the closure when the latter is withdrawn through the upper end of said container.

, WILLIAM C. MILLER.

July 3, i934.

It is hereby certified that error appears in the printed specification of the above numbered patent requiring correction as follows: Page 4, line 87, claim 10, for "closure" read closures; and that the said Letters Patent should be read with this correction therein that in the Patent Office.

Signed and sealed this 7th day of August,

(Seal) the same may conform to the record of the case Leslie Frazer Acting Commissioner of Patents. 

